Free CLEP American Government Exam Practice Questions

CLEP American Government The Judicial Branch Course Review

1. Which of the following activities does the House Rules Committee control?

1. Scheduling what bills to debate and when they are debated
2. Selecting who will speak during floor debate
3. Appointing members for standing committees
4. Selecting the Speaker of the House

2. A power that the House of Representatives has that the Senate does NOT is the power to

1. try impeached government officials.
2. approve proposed treaties.
3. introduce bills about revenue.
4. confirm presidential appointments.

3. A power that the Senate possesses that the House of Representatives does NOT is the power to

1. impeach government officials.
2. approve proposed treaties.
3. declare war on another nation.
4. provide oversight of the executive branch.

4. How does the president exercise a pocket veto?

1. By accepting some lines in a bill and rejecting others
2. By attaching a signing statement to a bill
3. By failing to sign a bill when Congress has finished its term
4. By refusing to read the text of a proposed bill

5. Which BEST describes the relation between the president and the Congress regarding legislation?

1. The president generally leads Congress regarding national policy issues.
2. Congress drafts legislation within the limits of the president’s proposed budget.
3. Key congressional committees report to the president about new bills.
4. Presidential officials serve as honorary advisers on congressional committees.

6. Executive privilege is the power of

1. the executive branch to carry out laws.
2. the president to appoint officials to federal posts.
3. executive officials to keep information from Congress.
4. the president to lead the U.S. armed forces.

7. In what way can the president act as a legislator?

1. By serving as head of state
2. By serving as commander-in-chief
3. By appointing diplomats
4. By issuing executive orders

8. The president has the authority to do all of the following EXCEPT

1. recognize foreign governments.
2. keep troops in military action for an indefinite amount of time.
3. negotiate treaties with other nations.
4. command the military to use nuclear weapons.

9. The president’s official cabinet typically includes which of the following officials?

1. National Security Council and White House Office officials
2. The Senate majority leader, Chief Justice, and Secretary of State
3. Leaders of the fifteen executive departments
4. Un-appointed friends and advisers to the president

10.Which of the following is the BEST description of a signing statement?

1. A statement a president makes upon signing legislation into law
2. A statement of a president detailing his/her reasons for a veto
3. A statement a president makes expressing disappointment in a failed bill
4. A statement of a president’s desires for new legislation